Belize Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Week

The commemoration of Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples continues through to Friday.  In Belize, the Garifuna and Maya communities are being celebrated for their contributions and achievements, as well as their diversities in culture, language, food, music and traditional knowledge. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs issued a statement today encouraging every indigenous brother and sister to stand firm and take great pride in their identity. The release goes on to say, “it is a time also to raise awareness to protect the social, economic and political rights of indigenous communities.” The National Garifuna Council also issued a release, calling on the Government of Belize to make a concerted effort to minimize the marginalization of the indigenous population and honor the international conventions and treaties that directly relate to indigenous persons.